NASA Astronaut Candidate Cameron Jones 

Cameron Jones, Major, U.S. Air Force 

Summary

Cameron Jones was selected by NASA to join the 2025 astronaut candidate class. He reported for duty in September 2025. The Illinois native holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in aerospace engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He is a major in the United States Air Force with more than 1,600 flight hours in more than 30 different aircraft, including 150 combat hours. Jones is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School and the U.S. Air Force Weapons School. At the time of his selection, Jones served as an Air Force Academic Fellow at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). 

Personal

Born in Iowa, Jones considers Savanna, Illinois, to be his hometown. He is married to Cristi Jones, originally of Glen Ellyn, Illinois, and they are parents of one daughter. In his spare time, Jones enjoys spending time with his family and dog, hiking, camping, rafting, traveling, strength training, and sports. His parents, Michael and Janis Jones, reside in Dixon, Illinois. 

Education

Jones graduated from West Carroll High School in Savanna, and earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in aerospace engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2012 and 2018, respectively. He also earned a master’s degree in flight test engineering from the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base in California in 2022. He also is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Weapons School at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada. 

Experience

After graduating with his bachelor’s degree, Jones commissioned as a U.S. Air Force officer through the University of Illinois’ ROTC program. He then reported to the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training program at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, where he earned his wings and follow-on assignment flying the F-22 Raptor.  

His first operational assignment was in the 94th Fighter Squadron at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia, where he deployed and was awarded the Air Medal. He then was stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska, followed by Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, where he attended the U.S. Air Force Weapons School. He returned to Alaska to serve as weapons officer for the 525th Fighter Squadron. He was accepted into the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School and, upon graduation, conducted F-22 developmental flight tests and served as the director of Operations with the 411th Flight Test Squadron at Edwards Air Force Base, California. Major Jones is an experienced aviator with more than 1,600 flight hours in more than 30 different aircraft, including more than 300 flight test hours and 150 combat hours. 

At the time of his selection, he was serving as an Air Force Academic Fellow at DARPA.  

NASA Experience

Jones reported for duty in September 2025 to complete two years of initial astronaut training. 

Awards/Honors

Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Air and Space Commendation Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, National Defense Service Medal, Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal with Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Liethen-Tittle Award for Top Test Pilot (USAF Test Pilot School), Aaron C. “C-Dot” George Award for warrior-focused commitment (USAF Test Pilot School), Distinguished Graduate USAF Test Pilot School, Outstanding Graduate Award USAF Weapons School, Academic Award (USAF Weapons School), Commander’s Trophy Award (Euro-Nato Joint Jet Pilot Training), Distinguished Graduate Euro-Nato Joint Jet Pilot Training, Flying Excellence Award (Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training), AIAA Scholastic Achievement Award (University of Illinois). 

Organizations

Society of Experimental Test Pilots